Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Is P-2 secure enough for documents with my name and address on them?
Not really. P-2 under DIN 66399 permits a particle area up to 800 mm2, and this machine cuts full-length 3.9 mm strips. Strip-cut output can be reassembled with patience, and for that reason data protection guidance and internal audit standards generally set P-4 as the minimum for anything containing personal data. For bank statements, medical letters or anything with an account number, choose the cross-cut C16 at 4 x 25 mm or the C18 at 1.9 x 15 mm.
Can it shred staples, paper clips and credit cards?
Yes, all three. HSM rates the C16 for paper, staples, paper clips and credit cards on hardened steel cutting rollers that carry a lifetime warranty. That is the practical difference between this machine and a supermarket shredder of similar size, which typically requires staples to be removed and will not accept cards at all. It will not take CDs or DVDs; there is no optical media rating for this model.
How big is the bin and how often will I empty it?
The container is 6.6 gallons (25 litres) and HSM measures it at roughly 225 shredded sheets. Strip-cut waste is bulky and does not settle, so that figure is lower than the volume suggests. A single home-office user shredding a few sheets a day will empty it every couple of weeks. You lift the housing top off using the recessed grip and tip the container out; there is no bag to buy or fit.
Will it fit under a desk, and how heavy is it to move?
It is 14.41 in wide, 10.16 in deep and 17.91 in tall, and weighs 8.82 lb. It fits under most desks and beside most pedestals, and one hand is enough to relocate it. There are no castors, which is a fair trade at this weight. If you need something with the same footprint but a taller bin, the SECURIO C18 is 21.34 in tall with the same 6.6 gallon container.
Does it use much electricity if I leave it switched on?
No. HSM states zero standby power consumption for the C16, which is unusual even among machines that advertise low-power modes. The motor draws 160 W while actually shredding and the light-barrier automation means it only runs when paper is present. Leaving it plugged in and switched on is the intended way to use it, and the machine carries Blue Angel certification partly on the strength of that energy behaviour.
How loud is it?
HSM publishes approximately 55 dB(A) at idle. That is quiet enough for a home office or a consulting room, and the automatic start and stop means it is silent between documents rather than humming. As with every shredder, the noise during an actual pass is higher, and HSM does not publish a figure for that, so we are not going to quote one. It is noticeably quieter than the larger B-series machines.
Is this shredder NSA approved?
No. NSA/CSS Specification 02-01 requires a maximum particle of 1 mm x 5 mm plus listing on the NSA Evaluated Products List. A 3.9 mm full-length strip is nowhere near that, and the C16 is not on the EPL. If you have a US government classified destruction requirement, nothing in the C-series will satisfy it, regardless of cut type. Buy only from the current EPL for that use case.
What is the difference between this and the cross-cut C16?
Same cabinet, same 160 W motor, same 6.6 gallon bin, same 8.86 in intake. The cross-cut version cuts 4 x 25 mm particles and is rated P-4 rather than P-2, but takes only six to seven sheets per pass instead of twelve to fourteen. Choose strip cut for volume on non-sensitive paper; choose cross cut if anything personal or financial goes through the machine. The price difference is small enough that most buyers should default to cross cut.